While the rest of the nation was transfixed with the Melbourne Cup result, another of Australia's biggest icons took to the stage at ANZ Stadium ahead of the Australian leg of their Rock or Bust world tour, which starts in Sydney on Wednesday night.

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Dressed in plain jeans and T-shirts – conspicuously absent was Angus Young's schoolboy garb and Johnson's flat-cap – the band put on an exhilarating display in front of a stage bearing their trademark devil horns.

No school uniform: Angus Young during the Rock or Bust sound-check. Credit:Brendan Esposito

Despite the inclement weather and having been on the road since April, they blasted through an electrifying performance of Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be, Back in Black and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.

AC/DC's touring longevity has shown no sign of ebbing, despite 23 world tours notched up since their beginnings in 1973. Working with the reliable modus operandi of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', much of the current tour's20-song setlist are classic hits, with a token nod towards Rock or Bust, their 17th studio album.

Tour promoter Garry Van Egmond, who has worked with AC/DC since 1982, said the current 55-date tour had already played to millions across 21 countries in Europe and the US.

The band, having had a four-week break after their last show in Los Angeles, were "in good shape and ready to go", he said.

Powerhouse vocals: Brian Johnson.Credit:Brendan Esposito

Despite recent murmurings by Johnson that retirement may be coming something they are now starting to consider, Van Egmond said "they haven't any signs of quitting, I don't think that will happen", before revealing the tour will continue next year, although no dates have been announced yet.

The Rock or Bust tour has been missing two significant figures since the outset. Drummer Phil Rudd is under home detention in New Zealand after pleading guilty to charges of threatening to kill, and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis. He has been replaced by Chris Slade, a previous drummer for the band.

Legendary guitarist Malcolm Young has sadly retired and is in full-time care for dementia. Nephew Stevie Young has replaced him on the tour.

Van Egmond said Malcolm Young's absence was a "private family matter". "Stevie Young is a member of the family, so it is family," he said. "It just goes on."

Cliff Williams, the bass player with the band since 1977, rounds out the five-piece.

Van Egmond said fans were promised "a great night of rock'n'roll, a great visual experience and as you can see, it's a huge set-up".

AC/DC play ANZ Stadium in Sydney on November 4 and 7, Brisbane QSAC November 12 and 14, Adelaide Oval on November 21, Perth Domain Stadium November 27 and 29, Melbourne Etihad Stadium on December 6 and 8, see ticketek.com.au, ticketmaster.com.au.